The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs would like to today offer their sincere condolences to the Pickup family after the passing of former Bulldogs Player #406 Tim Pickup.
Pickup was a Western Suburbs junior, he captained the Magpies to undefeated Oatley Shield(S.G Ball) & Jersey Flegg titles in 1963 and 1965 respectively.
After his family moved to the Northern Beaches,(Where he would reside for the rest of his life) he was denied a clearance from Western Suburbs RL and switched to Manly Rugby Union for 3 seasons, playing first grade immediately as a 17 year old in 1966. His final game was a 33-6 loss to Sydney University in the 1968 Grand Final.
In 1969 Tim was on a working holiday in England when he was spotted playing touch football in a London park by a scout, and was signed by St.Helens. He was loaned to Blackpool Borough where he was player of the year as a fullback for both the 1970 and 1971 seasons.
Tim returned to Australia in 1972 and signed with the North Sydney Bears (After being dismissed as too small for Canterbury by Peter Moore). He played 54 games between 1972-1974 and was twice voted the Bears player of the year in 1973 & 1974.
Tim played for NSW & Australia in his initial year of first grade. Between 1972-1975 he played 6 games for NSW, was a member of the 1973 Kangaroo touring team, and played 11 Tests for Australia. Immortal Bob Fulton played centre, outside of Tim at five-eighth in all of his 11 international games.
After moving to Canterbury as halfback & Captain in 1975, Tim Pickup represented City, NSW & Australia. He was chosen as five-eighth for the first four Tests of the World Cup against New Zealand, Wales, France and England, where he severely injured his knee. He missed the rest of the 1975 and entire 1976 seasons through rehabilitation, before making a comeback in 1977.
In 1978 Tim played a full season of first grade at five-eighth outside Steve Mortimer at halfback, reaching the Preliminary Semi-Final against Parramatta. Tim captained Canterbury 23 times between 1975-1978.
Tim Pickup was a mentor and massive influence on the next generation of Bulldogs superstars, such as Steve Folkes and the Mortimer brothers, Steve, Peter and Chris. He retired as reserve grade captain in 1979 after leading the team to the Grand Final against Parramatta.
Upon retirement Tim served on the Canterbury-Bankstown Football Club Board from 1980-95 & 2002-2004. In 1985 he was awarded Life Membership of the Canterbury-Bankstown Football Club.
In 1996 Tim was appointed as foundation CEO of Super League Club, Adelaide Rams.
Tim Pickup was manager of World Boxing Champion Jeff Harding from 1987-1994.
In 1988 Tim was inducted into the Bankstown Sporting Hall of Fame.
In 2000 Tim was awarded the Australian Sports Medal for services to Australian Sport.
In 2004 Tim was a finalist for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 70 Year Team of Champions.
In 2005 Tim was a finalist at Five-Eighth in Manly Rugby Union Team of the Century.
In 2006 Tim was selected at Five-Eighth in the North Sydney Bears Team of the Century, alongside legends Ken Irvine & Mark Graham.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Pickup family at this time.
